Storm leaves thousands without electricity

Approximately 8,000 homes and businesses in Macomb County were without electricity following a couple of rounds of fast-moving thunderstorms that hit the region on Monday evening.

The storms carried ominous-looking clouds, large hail, heavy downpours and high wind that knocked down trees and branches and snapped power lines in several communities.

However, there was no significant damage reported, according to Vicki Wolber, coordinator for the Macomb County Office of Emergency Management.

She said the tornado sirens were set off while a severe thunderstorm warning was issued because there were winds reported in excess of 70 mph, which is part of the criteria for sounding the emergency sirens.

DTE Energy’s power outage website showed the largest concentration of outages in Macomb was in an area east of Interstate 94 between Crocker Boulevard and North River Road in Harrison Township. About 2,800 utility customers there were impacted.

In other areas of large areas, there were about 2,600 outages between Hall Road and Cass Avenue, Gratiot and Groesbeck in Clinton Township and Mount Clemens; 700 north of Cotton Road along Jefferson Avenue in Chesterfield Township; and 750 near 24 Mile Road and North Avenue in Macomb Township.

There was not estimated timetable for power restoration listed on the website.

The forecast for the rest of the week calls for mostly sunny skies and highs in the 70s through Friday, when the temperature will be about 82. Warmer weather moves in for the weekend with highs near 87 and the chance of storms on Saturday and Sunday.